Health Scan: Lifestyle Q&A

Nicolas Roche, professional cyclist

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?

Yes. In cycling, your lifestyle is one of the very important keys to succeed, so it’s all about having the right amount of sleep and the appropriate diet.

How often do you exercise?

I do between 20 and 27 hours of exercise every week. I usually take one day off a week because they say it’s good for your body to have one day of complete rest. It’s 100 per cent on the bike – I’ve tried doing many other sports, especially in the winter season, but I find that I usually get more injured than anything else, so I just stick to riding the bike. I would do about 600km-1,000km a week.

Do you get your five a day?

Yes, I think so. I eat a lot of bananas, apples and raisins, but also carrots and tomatoes. I try to add more depending on the season, like strawberries in September or now it’s the time for mangoes. I try to keep things simple, but vary the taste when I can.

Do you worry?

I do. It’s mainly to do with my profession. The worry of getting injured is the main one, or not being able to perform to the level that is expected from my team or from myself. I also worry if I miss a training session when the weather is not good.

What do you do to relax?

I like to go for a little coffee break in the afternoon in the town where I live in Italy. I live in the city centre, so it’s pretty handy – I just like to sit down and read the newspapers and have a coffee. In the evening, I can sometimes sit down and watch two or three DVDs in a row – thrillers or an animated movie.

What’s your unhealthiest habit?

Giving out. When things don’t go the way I want them to, I get pretty grumpy.